The Union of States around the Sovereign Oceans (USSO) is a collective defence, economical and cultural treaty organisation among Jingdaoese Empire, Craitland, Gerenia, Passio-Corum, Xang Muang, the Florian Republic and the Brettania. It has an estimated population of over 317 million (fictional) citizens and has land on almost each continent across Micras. While originally a defence union, the focus and input from Passio-Corum swayed its members to establish and further integrate a common market between the members.

The Union traces its roots back in the Hammish Civil War, in which several of the founding states saw the interference of the Shirerithians in the civil war as very worrisome. Soon after, the alliance also began cooperating on the economical, cultural and scientific level. Since the Union Treaty of July 2017, all citizens of each Union State can also apply for Union Citizenship, which guarantees free movement between the States.

History

Origin

A propaganda poster in Hamland: the invading forces didn't even attempt to hide their presence and influence to the world.

The USSO was born during a period of heightened tensions due to the ongoing Hammish Civil War. Jingdao, which had undergone a change of government and (limited) democratization after the death of the Sheng Emperor, sought to regain some influence on the world stage.

It found allies in nations including Gerenia and Xang Muang, who were eager to protect themselves against what was perceived imperialist aggression from other nations, Craitland, which offered humanitarian efforts for future situations, and Passio-Corum, which sought to protect its economic interests around the Sea of Storms. Having seen the aggressive use of atomic weapons ( Operation Tymarian Sun ) and Hamland pushed into a lengthy and cruel civil war had both shocked and angered public opinion, which demanded the atrocities to be stopped. Much of the blame was put on the interference by the larger (western) states, which sought to use the war to their benefit.

Treaty of Voorpost

The five heads of government at the Conference of Voorpost.

In February 2017, the Jingdaoese Empire, Craitland, Gerenia, Passio-Corum and Xang Muang gathered around the conference table in Voorpost (in Passio-Corum) to discuss the possibility of a tighter international cooperation to constructively work on a future for their micronations.

The cultural differences and even former rivalries (between Jingdao and Passio-Corum) were put aside and declarations of friendship were made and met with enthusiasm by the population of the participating member states. On the 26th February 2017, the rulers (or representatives) of its founding states signed the Treaty of Voorpost.

A shattered Union (April 2017)

The death of the Sheng Emperor and the rise of the Mingshi Emperor to active participation in politics fractured the attempts of the Union to counter the interference of SANE into Hamland. What had begun as indirect attempts (like blockades), soon became outright hostilities. On the 1st April, the Emperor - in a fit of madness - declared war upon Shireroth and its allies. This led to the outbreak of the War of Jingdaoese Immolation. In the meantime, Gerenia was blockaded by the Shirerithian Navy and was forced to declare itself neutral.

In attempt to save the strategic positions in Keltia, Passio-Corum invaded its ally and occupied its oversea territories. With the death of the Mingshi Emperor, those possessions were returned to Jingdao and relations restored.

Having survived the crisis, the members became convinced that a military alliance alone meant nothing. Several projects, including the Common Market, were launched.

First Union Summit (21 June - 23rd July 2017)

In May 2017 plans were made to finance the creation of a flying Headquarters, which could travel from one member state to another. This immense project, which was both a prestige project as an attempt to make the Policon HQ less dependent from one member nation, received heavy funding from not only the states, but also the private sector. It was launched during a ceremony in the presence of Chairman Tuân Quân on the 21st June 2017, during the First Policon Summit.

The First Summit began at a slow speed, which worried some member states and led to a decline of support for Tuân Quân, who was campaigning for a second term as Chairman. In the end, he was defeated and replaced by Kan Zen of Passio-Corum during a close election. During the meeting, the Florian Republic was also admitted to the Union, making it the first non-founding Full Member.

The Summit itself had some ambitious goals to strengthen certain aspects in cooperation between the nations, including the creation of an Union Citizenship, the establishment of Union defence units, free movement of people within the Union and stronger cultural cooperation (including a detailed map of Micras, thanks to investments in space satellites).

Treaty

The main treaty of the Union was the Treaty of Voorpost (26th February 2017). This was replaced by the Union Treaty (July 2017) and unanimously passed on the 23rd July, ending the First Summit. The Union Treaty saw the creation of the function of Commissars, responsible for certain projects.

Member states

There are three different kinds of membership:

Full Membership

Associate Membership

Observer status

Full Members

Full Members - or Union States - hold all privileges and duties, as being agreed upon in the Union Treaty (including free movement, Union Citizenship, military aid and economical access to the common market).

Structure

Union Council of Commissars (UCC)

The Union Council of Commissars (UCC) acts as the highest executive and administrative body of the Union, being responsible for issuing decisions and orders on the basis and in pursuance of the treaties in operation. They also need to supervise the execution of those decisions. The Council is headed by the Chairman of the USSO and has a number of Commissars which are responsible for their own department.

USSO Common Market

The USSO Common Market falls within the responsibility and jurisdiction of the Commissar of Trade, who is responsible for the well-functioning of the Common Market mechanics. Union Members have access to the largest economic market of Micras, which led to an increased welfare in and breakdown of protective policies of the individual member states.